Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien confirmed Friday that wide receiver Will Fuller tore his ACL in Thursday's win over the Miami Dolphins and will miss the rest of the season.Fuller suffered the injury during the best game of his campaign. He caught five passes for 124 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins to help the Texans rattle off their fifth straight win.The loss of Fuller, Houston's primary deep threat, is a big blow to the AFC South leader, which has been rounding into form with Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt both looking healthy.Rookie receiver Keke Coutee should now slide into the starting lineup alongside DeAndre Hopkins.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones skipped his traditional postgame media session Sunday in fear he would accidentally reveal the blockbuster Amari Cooper trade he had looming."I can't keep a secret," Jones quipped Friday on 105.3 The Fan. "I thought it was best to move on."The Cowboys reeled in Cooper on Monday, sending a first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowl wideout. When he avoided reporters Sunday, many believed Jones was simply frustrated over the Cowboys' heart-wrenching loss to the rival Washington Redskins."He'll definitely change the dynamics of the offense," an excited Jones said of Cooper.Jones added that while he publicly expressed confidence in Dallas' underwhelming receiving corps throughout the offseason, the Cowboys were always on the lookout for a boost at the position.Dallas is on a Week 8 bye, meaning Cooper won't make his Cowboys debut until Nov. 5 when his new squad hosts the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Let's look ahead to four of the most significant mismatches in Week 8 of the NFL season:Khalil Mack vs. Jets' offensive tacklesThe Chicago Bears paid a steep price to acquire Khalil Mack, but the former Oakland Raiders star is living up to expectations so far this season, recording 20 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles, four quarterback hits, an interception, and a defensive touchdown. Mack is filling up the box score while making an impact in every conceivable way.This week, he gets a favorable matchup and will be pitted against New York Jets offensive tackles Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell for the majority of the game on Sunday. The Jets' tackles haven’t been bad this season - Sam Darnold’s lack of feel for the pass rush is hampering them - but they don't have the consistency in their hand technique, footwork, and set points to stymie Mack.During both run and pass plays, Mack’s power and superior hand usage is going to give the Jets' tackles fits. Each tackle will struggle to move him on running plays, and in pass protection, the All-Pro edge defender is going to routinely push them around.Against the run, Mack has the unique ability to be either a brick wall or a penetrator off the edge. Mack is one of the best edge defenders in the NFL, and he's often able to showcase his superior leverage to stack and shed blocks with ease.He also possesses the quickness to break through and make plays in the backfield:Here, Mack lines up outside the right tackle. He initially squares up the tackle before executing a swift inside rip move to cross the blocker’s face and penetrate into the backfield. Mack then balances himself after beating the block so that he can react to the ball carrier’s path. That allows him to make the tackle for no gain.Mack is one of the savvier pass-rushers in the NFL, and he utilizes angles to maximize his speed-to-power rushes off the edge:Pay attention to his angle of attack here. Mack takes a wide angle because it lets him build up speed and attack downhill. The angle also forces offensive tackles to turn their shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage, giving Mack a soft edge to attack.He's a master at manipulating rush angles to keep offensive tackles off balance. By creating variance with his attacks, Mack makes it difficult for offensive tackles to get into a rhythm, leading to inconsistencies with hand timing and set points, which are weaknesses for the Jets' blockers.James Conner vs. Browns' defenseThe last time James Conner faced off against the Browns (Week 1), he finished with 192 total yards and two touchdowns on 36 touches. After putting together back-to-back games with 100-plus rushing yards, Conner looks primed to take advantage of Cleveland’s leaky run defense again.The Browns have the fifth-worst rush defense in the NFL, and they're allowing 134.7 yards per game. Conner, meanwhile, ranks sixth among running backs in rushing yards (453), ninth in receiving yards (257), and fourth in total yards per game (118.33).During his first game against the Browns, Pittsburgh utilized Conner on short passes. The Steelers used the second-year running back as a check-down option, and as a means to slow down Cleveland’s potent pass rush with screens.As a runner, Conner routinely gashed the Cleveland defense between the tackles, with Pittsburgh using a nice mix of zone and gap schemes to keep the Browns on their toes:On this play, Conner takes advantage of excellent blocking up front while illustrating his uncanny vision to read the leverage of defenders at the second level. After receiving the ball, he shows the patience to allow his blocks to develop before bursting past the line of scrimmage.Conner identifies the safety filling the hole, and he also reads the momentum of Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey (No. 58). That allows him to cut right off his blocker’s backside and into open space for a 22-yard touchdown run.Expect Conner to prove that Week 1 was no fluke, and he could record another 150-plus-yard day.Alvin Kamara vs. Vikings LBsTo the surprise of many, the once-vaunted Minnesota Vikings' defense has been soft against pass-catching running backs all season. After having the top DVOA against running backs catching passes out of the backfield in 2017, the Vikings have fallen to last this season, per Football Outsiders.Minnesota Vikings linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr are struggling in coverage this season, and the Saints will likely look to take advantage with Alvin Kamara, one of the preeminent receiving threats out of the backfield.Through seven weeks, Kamara ranks third among running backs in receiving yardage (362) and second in receiving yards per game (60.3), per Fantasy Footballers.Saints head coach Sean Payton excels at manufacturing touches for his best weapons in space, and he'll likely have a package of plays designed to expose the Vikings' linebackers while utilizing Kamara. Slip screens are one of Payton’s favorite ways to get Kamara the ball in space:The Saints are among the best at using play-action to set up screens. On this play, they use run action to set up the slip screen to Kamara.After initially biting on the play fake, the New York Giants' linebackers quickly bail to their zones to defend this pass, which opens up a ton of space for Kamara in the flat with blockers in front of him. Kamara then shows off his elusiveness to make a defensive back miss on his way to a 25-yard catch and run.Screens will be just the beginning, as New Orleans isn’t afraid to motion Kamara out wide and isolate the Tennessee product in one-on-one matchups against linebackers. He's also a quality outlet for Drew Brees as a check-down option.While Mark Ingram will likely do the heavy lifting on the ground, Kamara is in line for a big day as a receiver against Minnesota's soft defense.Travis Kelce vs. Broncos' defenseThe Chiefs' Travis Kelce could take over as the NFL's top tight end. Through seven weeks, he ranks second at the position in receptions (38), receiving yards (563), and receiving yards per game (80.43) to go along with his third-place ranking in receiving touchdowns (3).Kelce is a unique talent at tight end because he can threaten any level of the defense while being a yards-after-catch threat. Here’s an example of his ability after the catch:Kelce shows off his athleticism here as he outruns a couple defensive backs on his way to a 43-yard gain. He expertly reads the wide receiver’s block while leveraging his burst to beat the Bengals' defenders to the edge.This week, Kelce gets a favorable matchup against the Broncos and their defense that ranks 23rd in DVOA against opposing tight ends, per Football Outsiders. During his last game against the Broncos, Kelce recorded seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Don’t be surprised if he puts up 100-plus yards and a couple touchdowns this week.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

HOUSTON (AP) Deshaun Watson matched his career high with five touchdown passes to lead the Houston Texans to their fifth straight victory, 42-23 over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.The Texans (5-3) have left their 0-3 start behind with their longest single-season winning streak since reeling off six victories in a row in 2012.Watson threw touchdown passes of 13, 2, 73, 49 and 2 yards to give him 34 career scoring passes to move ahead of Dan Marino (32) for second-most through in NFL history after 15 games.Miami's Brock Osweiler, who had one tough season in Houston after signing a $72 million contract in 2016, threw for 241 yards with an interception in his third straight start in place of injured starter Ryan Tannehill.Kenyan Drake had a touchdown run and touchdown reception for the Dolphins (4-4). They lost for the second straight week.Rookie Jordan Thomas caught the first two touchdown passes of his career, DeAndre Hopkins had 82 yards receiving and two scores and Will Fuller added 124-yards receiving and a touchdown.Texans running back Lamar Miller, who grew up in Miami and spent his first four seasons with the Dolphins, had 133 yards rushing and a touchdown for his second straight 100-yard game.Houston led by 8 when Watson threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Hopkins on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 35-20.Watson found the speedy Fuller in front of the defense for a 73-yard touchdown that left Houston up 28-17 late in the third quarter. It was the longest touchdown pass of Watson's career and the longest reception of Fuller's. Fuller has caught 11 touchdown passes in 11 career games with Watson.The Dolphins used a 41-yard field goal to cut the lead to 28-20 with less than a minute left in the third quarter. That score came after a drive featuring a crazy 46-yard pass by Osweiler. He threw the ball to Jakeem Grant, who lost it after being hit by two Texans defenders, but it sailed down the field and into the hands of DeVante Parker for the big gain.A 58-yard run by Miller got the Texans to the 9-yard line early in the third quarter. Houston extended the lead to 21-10 when Watson found Thomas again, this time on a 2-yard pass.The Dolphins used some trickery later in the third quarter when Osweiler pitched a lateral to Danny Amendola, who threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Drake to cut the lead to 21-17.Hopkins scored his second touchdown on a 2-yard reception with about eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, but his most impressive play of the night came on a catch that didn't count. Hopkins reached back and grabbed the ball with one hand and weaved it between his legs in the air before crashing to the ground. But it was brought back after he was called for pass interference.INJURIESHouston CB Johnathan Joseph injured his ankle in the first quarter and didn't return. ... ILB Zach Cunningham left in the first quarter with a knee injury and didn't return. ... Fuller left the game after injuring his knee in the fourth quarter.ANTHEMMiami defensive end Robert Quinn again raised his right fist during the anthem as he has done in past weeks.UP NEXTDolphins: Host the New York Jets on Nov. 4.Texans: Visit Denver on Nov. 4.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Houston Texans win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday came at a significant cost, as league sources told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that wide receiver Will Fuller is believed to have suffered a torn ACL late in the game.The 24-year-old is slated to undergo an MRI on Friday.Fuller's knee appeared to buckle on a passing play in the fourth quarter near the Dolphins end zone. He would eventually walk off the field under his own power, but the club immediately ruled him out for the remainder of the contest.The loss of Fuller would be a significant blow to the Houston offense, as the former Notre Dame standout had a huge game on Thursday with 124 yards receiving and one touchdown.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller left Thursday's game versus the Miami Dolphins with a knee injury and was immediately ruled out by the team for the rest of the contest.Fuller was injured during the fourth quarter while being interfered with on a deep pass from Deshaun Watson. He stayed down for a few minutes before being helped to the sideline.Following the game, Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said he had no immediate information on the severity of Fuller's injury, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.The 2016 first-rounder was in the midst of a productive evening, hauling in five catches for 124 yards, including a 73-yard reception for a touchdown.Fuller has battled multiple injuries since entering the league, missing nine contests over three seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first half nearly ended in disaster for Brock Osweiler and the Miami Dolphins.Late in the second quarter of Thursday's game, Osweiler was blasted by Houston Texans linebacker Josh Keyes. The huge hit appeared to result in a forced fumble and a 19-yard return touchdown for the home team.

The Denver Broncos cut backup quarterback Chad Kelly on Wednesday after he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree criminal trespassing early Tuesday. Before the arrest, Kelly attended a Halloween party hosted by now-former teammate Von Miller.Miller defended the team gathering Thursday and distanced himself from Kelly's actions."It was a private event, it was safe. I had team security there, I had my own private security there," Miller said, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold.Members of the Broncos, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings basketball teams, and Denver Outlaws lacrosse team attended the party Monday night.Kelly was arrested after police received a call around 1 a.m. from a couple about a man who entered their Englewood, Co., residence, sat down on their couch, and began "mumbling incoherently", according to an affidavit."Of course, we got the news about Chad. I care about Chad as a person," Miller said. "The party was separate from his issues. I love the guy, I wish the best for him."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Hue Jackson considered becoming more involved in the Cleveland Browns' offense following the team's 26-23 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, leaving some wondering how that will sit with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.Haley is attributing Jackson's comments to the emotions that accompany a close loss."That's what it sounded like," Haley said, according to ESPN's Pat McManamon. "And we talked about it. This is an emotional game. It is not for everyone. Coaching in the NFL, especially being in that spot, it's not for everyone."It is a high pressure, high-stress job. We just got to keep doing what we know is right."Haley added that it's "been the same as it's always been" and "we're all on the same page" as Cleveland prepares for its Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Browns have a 2-4-1 record, and in their last three games they rank 29th in points scored (16.3), 20th in passing yards per game (234.7), and 29th on third-down conversions (30.61%).Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman won't be backing Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid in his feud with Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins.Reid blasted Jenkins following a heated encounter between the two last Sunday, claiming the veteran capitalized on the movement Colin Kaepernick created and sold out the Players Coalition. Norman doesn't believe that's the case."To hear Eric come out and do what he did, it's almost like, wow, that was a slap in the face because Malcolm has been nothing but stand up in the Players Coalition," Norman said Thursday, via NBC's JP Finlay. "Nothing but stand up, and everyone knows that."Reid and Jenkins were both part of the Players Coalition, a group built to foster social initiatives for underfunded communities and further opportunities for African-Americans. Reid left the group in late 2017 after Jenkins, on the group's behalf, agreed to a partnership with the NFL that would contribute $90 million to groups and causes the coalition endorses."(Jenkins) co-opted the movement that was started by Colin to get his organization funded. It's cowardly," Reid said following Sunday's game. "It's systemic oppression which is what I'm protesting and neocolonialism."Norman noted that the Players Coalition is helping a number of people around the country on a weekly basis."We're all trying to go in the direction of helping people," he said. "That is the main objective here. It’s not who gets this award, it’s not a parade here."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be thin at cornerback for their upcoming London matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.A.J. Bouye will not travel with the team, as he's been ruled out for Week 8 due to a calf injury. Bouye suffered the injury during Wednesday's practice, and he was seen in a walking boot shortly after.Tyler Patmon and D.J. Hayden will also miss Sunday's contest. Patmon has a neck injury, while Hayden - the team's primary slot cornerback - hasn't practiced since Sept. 21 after hurting his toe.Rookies Quenton Meeks, Tre Herndon, and Dee Delaney could be thrust into larger roles against Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who has completed 70.8 percent of his pass attempts in 2018. Meeks is expected to start across from All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.The Jaguars currently have the NFL's top passing defense. They're allowing only 179.7 yards per game through the air.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has fired an official midseason for the first time in the Super Bowl era, dismissing down judge Hugo Cruz, sources told Ben Austro and Mark Schultz of Football Zebras.The move was confirmed by ESPN's Kevin Seifert.Cruz's performance has reportedly been under scrutiny for a while. He worked his last game on Oct. 14 and missed a false start against the Los Angeles Chargers on a play that resulted in a Chargers touchdown.

NFL teams preparing for a run at the Super Bowl could be eyeing San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman ahead of the Oct. 30 trade deadline, but he doesn't see a deal happening.When addressing the possibility of being traded, Sherman, who represents himself, joked, "They haven't reached out to my agent."With the deadline looming, the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders have already unloaded players for future assets.The 49ers have a 1-6 record, but Sherman doesn't see himself leaving the team anytime soon."They've said since I've come here, I'm part of the future plans," he said. "At least for the next couple years, and that's the way I see it."The four-time Pro Bowler missed last week with a calf injury but is "pretty sure" he will play against the Arizona Cardinals, according to The Athletic's David Lombardi.Sherman signed a three-year, $39-million deal with the 49ers in early March.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's a look at my picks and confidence level for every team total in Week 8 of the NFL season:Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans (HOU -7.5 / 44.5)Dolphins' team total: 17.5 points

Here's a look at the key tactical matchups that will go a long way toward determining the outcomes of three Week 8 contests.Jaguars' offense vs. Eagles' defenseCan Blake Bortles end his struggles?The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the midst of a tailspin as they get set for a meeting with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in England. Jacksonville got off to a hot start this season, but the team is now reeling after three straight double-digit losses. Starting quarterback Blake Bortles was benched in the Week 7 defeat to Houston, and tempers flared in the locker room afterward.A week earlier, in Jacksonville's 40-7 loss to Dallas, Bortles threw a third-quarter interception that was emblematic of his recent struggles. On a 1st-and-10 in Jaguars territory, Bortles (No. 5) looked deep for receiver Dede Westbrook (No. 12) and forced his throw into triple coverage:Bortles will start Sunday at Wembley, but whether he finishes the game might depend on an Eagles defense with its own problems.Philadelphia had a 17-point lead in the second half last week, but let Carolina storm back to win with 21 unanswered points. We've previously highlighted the Eagles’ struggles against double-move routes from receivers (in particular Jalen Mills), and this time it was Ronald Darby who was beaten by Devin Funchess (No. 17) for a critical touchdown:So, there should be opportunities for Bortles to make some plays against Mills, Darby, and Co. Whether he converts those chances could determine the outcome of this game ... and perhaps Bortles' status with the Jaguars moving forward.Browns' offense vs. Steelers' defenseCan Nick Chubb gain ground against stingy run D?The AFC North has certainly been intriguing this season, as the Pittsburgh Steelers currently sit just above the Ravens and Bengals (both 4-3) with a 3-2-1 record. In Week 8, the Steelers will face a Cleveland Browns team that's undergone some key offensive-personnel changes since the two teams tied in Week 1.Aside from Baker Mayfield being under center this time, the trade of veteran Carlos Hyde to the Jaguars means the Browns have handed Nick Chubb the keys to their running attack. The rookie rusher responded with a solid performance in his debut as the starter, carrying the ball 18 times for 80 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay. Chubb's longest run of the day, a fourth-quarter carry for 21 yards, highlighted what he does best:This is an inside-zone running play, and Chubb (No. 24) makes a very quick decision to identify the hole, put his left foot in the turf, and cut downfield, bursting through the crease to pick up a big gain.This week, Chub will face a stout Pittsburgh run defense. The Steelers are allowing just 97.8 yards per game on the ground, which is 11th best in the league. And they've improved in recent weeks, holding four straight opponents below 100 total rushing yards. It's been a far cry from the Week 1 contest against Cleveland, in which the Browns gained 177 yards on the ground. However, Cleveland's former starting quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, was the leading rusher that day with 77 yards.The group to watch Sunday will be Pittsburgh's linebacking corps. Jon Bostic, Vince Williams, and T.J. Watt are the Steelers' three leading tacklers this season, and they've all been stout against the run.Vikings' offense vs. Saints' defenseCan New Orleans' soft secondary contain Thielen, Diggs?Few football fans will ever forget last season's Minneapolis Miracle, when the Minnesota Vikings pulled of a stunning last-second playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints. While Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs was the hero that day, it was a nightmare for Saints safety Marcus Williams, who missed the potential game-clinching tackle on Diggs, allowing the wideout to reach the end zone.This season, Williams has been solid at the safety spot, but the Saints’ passing defense has been a weak link overall. New Orleans has given up 297.3 yards per game through the air, which is fifth most in the league. The defense has also allowed 8.5 adjusted net yards per attempt to opposing quarterbacks in 2018. For comparison, it's the same number that Matt Ryan - who's been playing at a near-MVP level - has posted for the season.The Saints tried to shore up their secondary this week by trading for New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple. But whether he can help Williams, Marshon Lattimore, and Kurt Coleman slow down Minnesota's dangerous passing attack remains to be seen. It will be a tall task, as we know what Adam Thielen (No. 19) and Diggs (No. 14) can do:The Saints' secondary will need to step up on Sunday night, or the Vikings will surely put plenty of points on the board.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles says he's OK with the negative attention that often comes his way when the team performs poorly."I'm totally at peace with that," Bortles said last week, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com. "I totally understand that I'm like the scapegoat for this team. When we play good, 'The defense played well, the running back did good, the receivers made great plays.' And when we play bad, 'Blake Bortles is the worst quarterback on the face of the planet.'"And I get it. Obviously, that's not what I would have chosen for myself. And I'm sure it'll never stop. But I couldn't care less. I just want to win football games with this team."The interview with Bortles took place prior to his benching in Jacksonville's Week 7 loss to the Houston Texans, in which Bortles went just 6-for-12 passing for 61 yards and fumbled twice.The oft-maligned No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 draft was replaced by backup Cody Kessler early in the second half against Houston, but he's been reinstated as the starter heading into Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in London, England.Related - Eagles' Jenkins: Jaguars QB tape is proof 'Kaepernick deserves a job'Bortles has led the Jaguars to a 3-4 record this season while completing a career-best 60.6 percent of his pass attempts. He's thrown nine touchdowns, but also eight interceptions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The neck injury New York Jets running back Bilal Powell suffered last weekend shouldn't jeopardize his career after all, head coach Todd Bowles clarified Thursday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.Bowles suggested otherwise Wednesday, saying the injury could force Powell to retire. Powell was placed on injured reserve the same day.The running back was hurt in the Jets' Oct. 21 game versus the Minnesota Vikings. He'll undergo neck surgery but is expected to make a full recovery, Bowles said.The 29-year-old is suffering from the same injury that sidelined Jets wideout Quincy Enunwa last year, the coach added - a bulging disc.Powell's spent his entire eight-year career with Gang Green, rushing for 3,446 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 1,567 yards and five touchdowns through the air.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 8.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.You can also listen to the Week 8 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.Standard

With Week 8 on tap and the NFL season nearing its halfway point, here are the best prop bets still on the board - complete with a favorite, underdog, and long shot for each category.Most Valuable PlayerTop favorite: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+150)Mahomes has all kinds of angles working for him. He's a public darling who burst onto the scene quicker than expected, and is leading a 6-1 Chiefs team that was projected to win roughly 8.5 games. From a stats perspective, Mahomes ranks first in the NFL with 22 touchdown passes while engineering the league's top scoring offense.Top underdog: Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (+1800)It'll be extremely tough to keep Goff's name out of MVP talks should the Rams continue scoring - and winning - at such a torrid pace. The third-year quarterback has effortlessly led the NFL's only undefeated team and the No. 3 scoring offense while compiling the fourth-most passing yards in the league. If Todd Gurley was playing for any other team, Goff might be the front-runner.Top long shot: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (+3300)Scoring is up, quarterbacks are trendy, and Ryan's currently pacing the NFL in passing yards with 2,335. The Falcons are throwing even more than usual to make up for their defense, so Ryan should consistently put up big numbers down the stretch. If Atlanta can climb out of its 3-4 funk, this might be the best value pick in the MVP category.Super Bowl winnerTop favorite: New England Patriots (+600)The 2018 Patriots aren't as talented as their teams of the past. Still, this franchise loves to stay out of the spotlight for the early parts of the season, only to surge through November and December and into the playoffs.The defense will likely make or break this team, but Tom Brady and the offense have found a rhythm. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick is Bill Belichick, and you can almost certainly mark the Pats down for a trip to the AFC Championship Game, at worst.Top underdog: Philadelphia Eagles (+2500)This one's strictly based on getting Philadelphia at arguably its best price of the season. The NFC East is still very much up for grabs, and I expect the 3-4 Eagles to come out on top, as they'll likely be favored in at least six of their remaining nine games. This a buy-low opportunity on the defending champs, and speaking of buying low ...Top long shot: Jacksonville Jaguars (+3300)If you were brave enough to wait one more week and hope Jacksonville would suffer its third straight loss, good on you. The reeling Jaguars have been outscored 90-28 over those three games and could get an even better price with a loss to the Eagles in England this weekend. Even so, the AFC South is less than daunting, the Jaguars' defense can't possibly play worse, and who knows - maybe the team makes a deal or two, and perhaps Blake Bortles stops doing (very bad) Blake Bortles things.Offensive Rookie of the YearTop favorite: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (-110)Barkley - not Odell Beckham Jr. - has been the bright spot for the Giants' offense in 2018. Even with the unit putting up stinkers on a weekly basis, the No. 2 overall pick keeps getting rave reviews while creating big plays on the ground and through the air. With over 900 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns already, it's easy to see why Barkley's the favorite, especially given the New York market.Top underdog: Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (+2000)Like Ryan in the MVP category, Ridley should be a strong Rookie of the Year candidate because the numbers should be there.The Falcons wide receiver has become a secondary target in the passing game behind Julio Jones. And while the big games aren't happening every week, Ridley's steadily piling up stats, which should continue as Atlanta's defense forces the team into shootouts.Top long shot: Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions (+8000)Johnson should be given consideration simply because he's the first Lions running back in the last four centuries to top the 100-yard mark in a single game ... or so it seems.The rookie out of Auburn has helped Detroit shift to a more two-dimensional offense. And Johnson's usage is trending up, as he's quietly averaging 6.5 yards per carry. If Detroit somehow makes the playoffs, Johnson figures to gain a little more exposure. At this price, he's the best value pick in the category.(All prop bets were pulled from BetOnline and BetDSI. Always shop around for the best prices.)Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Janoris Jenkins is eager to stay with the New York Giants beyond the Oct. 30 trade deadline, though he acknowledged Thursday that he could be the next veteran sent packing."I want to be here," the cornerback told reporters, via Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, before admitting he's seen his name in trade rumors. "Business is business."Jenkins is believed to be a top candidate to be traded, as the Giants seem ready to begin a rebuild. New York has already shipped two notable defenders out of town, sending cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints and defensive tackle Damon Harrison to the Detroit Lions.Unloading Jenkins would provide the Giants with significant salary relief. The 29-year-old has two seasons left on the five-year, $62-million contract he inked ahead of his Pro Bowl campaign in 2016.Jenkins would bring a steadying presence to any team that acquires him. He's posted 33 tackles, six pass-breakups, and two interceptions over seven outings with the Giants this year.Along with Jenkins, Giants pass-rusher Olivier Vernon is also expected to be a popular name in trade talks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys' wide receivers have struggled to produce in 2018, so it's not surprising that quarterback Dak Prescott was excited when he discovered his team acquired Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders."I was like 'dang, that's sweet,'" Prescott said Wednesday, via Sports Day's Kate Hairopoulos. "When you add a player like that, he's explosive, and his talent speaks for himself. Everybody's excited. Guys on defense are excited, DBs are, everyone is. We just know what he can bring, he's another weapon.""It will be fun," he added. "He's a guy that his talent speaks for himself, he's going to run good routes, he's going to get open. When you have a guy like that, it will just happen naturally."Related: Cooper happy to have 'fresh start' with CowboysDespite singing Cooper's praises, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year admitted it requires more than one player to turn an offense around."This isn't the magic pill," Prescott said. "One player isn't going to make all these errors that we've had go away. But we have to do a better job, and we're going to...find a way to play complementary football together. Just execution. When we start doing that and you add a player like Amari Cooper in there, then that's where this offense takes the next step."Dallas currently ranks 29th in total offense and passing offense through seven weeks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast hosted by Justin Boone and David P. Woods.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone and Woods are joined by Scott Fish of Fanball to discuss the biggest fantasy questions heading into Week 8.Topics include:

After Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield took a hit to the helmet Sunday from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead, referee Shawn Hochuli provided a puzzling explanation as to why the play was not penalized.Hochuli said Mayfield was considered a runner and had not yet begun his slide, a statement that baffled the quarterback."No words," Mayfield said Wednesday, according to the Associated Press' Tom Withers. "Honestly. No words."The No. 1 overall pick didn't hear Hochuli's explanation at the time, but still had questions once hearing the rationale behind the call."I thought that's why they put the rule in," Mayfield said. "But we'll see."

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen completed his first practice after he was cleared to resume team activities following his leave of absence.Griffen spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since his September incidents involving police and medical personnel, and address his return."First off, I want to take full responsibility for my actions that went on in September," Griffen said, via ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "I had a lot of support from my family, the Minnesota Vikings, the doctors, my teammates, the fans and, you know, I want to give my apologies to people I impacted. I'm sorry if I affected them in any type of way. I'm just excited to get back here with my team and get back to the grind of things."It's been hard to be away, but I'm happy to be back. It's a good feeling right now, and I'm taking one day at a time and one thing at a time to get things back on track."The veteran defender underwent an evaluation and received treatment at a mental health facility over the last month, and helped him realize his issues were more important than playing football."It was awesome, man," Griffen said. "Just getting back to life in general; driving my car, doing all the little things. You've got to appreciate the little things in life. I appreciate the little things in life. I'm not taking any day. Every day is a blessing. You got to be grateful. I'm just excited to be back here."Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is pleased with Griffen's person progress since leaving the team."Everybody in life has probably had to deal with these different types of issues that go on and not necessarily (physical injuries)," Zimmer said. "I know people that I've dealt with in the past, I know people, doctors, all the experts help with these situations. I don't think this is as unique as we're making it out to be. This is an illness, and he's done a good job of helping to get better and continues to try to get better, and he is probably going to have to continue to do that just like we all have to do in life."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star cornerback Patrick Peterson met with the Arizona Cardinals' brass after his reported trade request, and ownership assured him the organization has a desire to win, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Peterson reportedly spoke with Cardinals president Michael Bidwill for half an hour on Tuesday. The two discussed ways for the team to improve and for Peterson's leadership role to grow."I think we definitely have a clear understanding and I have two years left under my contract, so I'm here," Peterson said of the meeting on Wednesday, via ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.Peterson had reportedly been "desperate" to get out of Arizona before the Oct. 30 trade deadline amid the Cardinals' 1-6 start to the season. The seven-time Pro Bowler was believed to have set his sights on the New Orleans Saints as a landing spot. However, the Saints acquired cornerback Eli Apple from the New York Giants on Tuesday.A statement Wednesday from Peterson indicated he's not looking to leave the desert, where he's spent his entire eight-year career:

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster seems to miss running back Le'Veon Bell.After a local Pittsburgh reporter tweeted Tuesday night that he saw Smith-Schuster buying a significant amount of Mega Millions tickets, the sophomore told media members Wednesday that he'd actually bought over 100 in hopes of helping pay his teammate.

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins says there are teams that would be better off with Colin Kaepernick behind center, including the Jacksonville Jaguars."I can turn on the tape this week of our opponent and see that Colin Kaepernick deserves a job," Jenkins said, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The jab is likely directed at quarterback Blake Bortles, who has struggled this season and was benched for Cody Kessler during the Jaguars' 20-7 loss to the Houston Texans.During Jacksonville's three-game losing streak, Bortles has thrown for a total of 640 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions.In a statement released Monday, the Jaguars announced they were sticking with Bortles as the starting quarterback.Jenkins was involved in an altercation with Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid last Sunday. Following the game, Reid labeled Jenkins as a sellout.The two players were members of the Players Coalition, a group made up of NFL players attempting to increase social initiatives for underfunded communities. Reid left the Coalition in late 2017 after disagreements with the group's leadership, including Jenkins.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After Amari Cooper's first practice with the Dallas Cowboys since Monday's trade from the Oakland Raiders, he spoke glowingly of his new surroundings."It feels like a fresh start, just like a freshman year in college or something like that. ... I mean the first thing you think about when you hear the Cowboys is that star, 'America's Team,' and all of that. It's a great franchise," Cooper said Wednesday, according to Kevin Patra of Around the NFL.The Cowboys acquired Cooper, 24, in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The fourth-year pro was named to the Pro Bowl in both of his first two seasons. He caught 22 of 32 targets for 280 yards and one touchdown over the first six games of the 2018 season with the Raiders.Cooper suffered a concussion in his final game with the Raiders in Week 6, but he'll have another week to recover and get up to speed in his new offense with the Cowboys on bye in Week 8."I have to stack the days together," Cooper said. "Obviously learn the system and just be ready to go out there when my name is called. All the other stuff will come."The Cowboys will host the Tennessee Titans in Week 9.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets running back Bilal Powell was placed on injured reserve Wednesday due to a neck injury that requires surgery, and head coach Todd Bowles says the issue could end his career, according to Connor Hughes of The Athletic.The 29-year-old left the Jets' Week 7 game against the Minnesota Vikings early after suffering the injury.New York selected Powell with the 126th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft. He's recorded 3,446 career rushing yards, 1,567 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns over 96 games.Veteran Isaiah Crowell is serving as the Jets' lead back in 2018 after being signed as a free agent in the offseason. Trenton Cannon, a sixth-round pick in April, led the team with 69 receiving yards on Sunday, and he'll likely take on a larger role in Powell's absence.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton may be known by the nickname "Superman," but the Baltimore Ravens have a different comparison for their Week 8 opponent."He's a fast dinosaur, muscular and big and runs people over," Ravens safety Eric Weddle said Wednesday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "He's a very unique quarterback in this league. He's the only one really like him."Asked to elaborate, Weddle said Newton would be a triceratops, because that's the one that "just bowls people over."Newton, listed at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, has 257 rushing yards and three scores on the ground through six games. It's his second-highest yards per game average in the past six seasons.The three-time Pro Bowler and 2015 MVP says Trooper Taylor, an assistant during his time at Auburn, originated the prehistoric analogy."I always asked him, 'Why do you call me a dinosaur?'" Newton said. "He said, 'Your talent is extinct. They don't make them like you no more.' I always laughed, but if you look around this league, and I've tried to warn a lot of people prior, too, but it's not cocky, it's not confidence, it's just self-belief in yourself, knowing that the talents that you possess, a lot of people can't say that they have."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden did his best Wednesday to pour cold water on rampant rumors surrounding further roster dismantling.Gruden said he wouldn't "speculate" on deals being made in advance of next Tuesday's trade deadline, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, but added, "I certainly don't see us trading the quarterback (Derek Carr)."Carr, a fifth-year pro and three-time Pro Bowler, has a career-high 71.7 percent completion rate through six games but has thrown eight interceptions with just seven touchdowns.Gruden's standing by his quarterback after trading away his No. 1 target in wide receiver Amari Cooper."I think Carr is going to be fine. We’ve got a lot of moving pieces now on offense, and it’s tough on a quarterback ... I’m going to keep supporting him," he said, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.The Raiders sent Cooper, a two-time Pro Bowler, to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a first-round pick on Monday. They traded star pass-rusher Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears amid a preseason holdout for a package of draft picks.Coming off a bye after a 1-5 start to the season, there's growing discontent in the Raiders' locker room with players questioning Gruden's "accountability."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has certainly made his mark on the team since being hired in January.His changes to the roster started with the signings of 24 veteran players in the offseason, making the Raiders the NFL's oldest team by average age. He then sent two-time All-Pro and 2016 Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears for draft picks prior to the start of the season, and on Monday, shipped two-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round pick.The changes have left many Raiders players questioning Gruden's "accountability" when it comes to the moves he's made, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic."Of course I'm concerned about the locker room," tight end Lee Smith said. "I am a leader on this team and I am under contract next year, but more importantly I care about all my teammates. I care about Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Derek Carr, Bruce Irvin, all of them. And I know how hard guys work all year. Guys don't work their ass off year-round because they are worried about the team being good in two or three years, they work hard to win. Now."Veterans on the team take issue with Gruden's handling of the trades, Tafur adds. The head coach publicly denied Cooper was being shopped roughly a week before the receiver was sent to Dallas, and he didn't notify his players when the trade was made, leaving some scrambling to see the news on their phone."Nobody was happy when we traded Khalil. And nobody is happy that we traded Amari. How could you be? You never ever want to trade elite, homegrown talent," said Smith. "But Coach Gruden is thinking long term. It's no secret that he got a 10-year contract. And having five first-rounders in the next two years is pretty good. ... And he has been clear about his open-door policy. If guys have a problem with this trade, they can go sit in his office and tell him."The Raiders sport a 1-5 record through the first seven weeks of the season and are coming off their bye. However, Gruden remains adamant that they're not tanking."Our job is not to second-guess what coach Gruden and (general manager) Reggie McKenzie do," Smith said. "Our job is to play football. Hopefully, these last 10 games, the young players on this team watch and learn how to play hard and be a pro in times of adversity.”Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger offered Derek Carr a proverbial tissue Wednesday after the Oakland Raiders pivot was reportedly scrutinized by teammates for supposedly crying during a game."As men in general, we all need to show emotion," Roethlisberger responded after being asked when it's acceptable for football players to cry, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "I think there's a misconception out there that as men we shouldn't show emotion. I think that's wrong. I think we need to show emotion, whether it's at a movie, if you want to cry if it's funny, if it's sad, if you want to be around your wife or girlfriend. Just because you cry doesn't mean you're less manly. I think that's a false narrative."Carr's relationship with his teammates reportedly took a hit after they witnessed him on film reacting emotionally to an arm injury suffered while taking a sack.The film was from Oakland's Oct. 14 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Carr quickly responded to the report, vehemently denying that he shed a single tear."When it comes to football, if something hurts - (Carr) might have been hurting, who knows?" Roethlisberger added. "I know I've cried in the locker room before, for both joy and pain. You lose a football game, if you're not showing emotion or if he gets up from something like that and he's laughing he's going to get chastised for not showing enough emotion. So I don't know exactly the story you're talking about, but for me I don't think it makes us any less manly to show emotion."Carr's had plenty to be sad about this season. The Raiders are 1-5, he's struggled to recapture his previous form, and two of the team's best players - pass-rusher Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper - have been traded.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In an effort to help you find trades that could improve your fantasy team heading into the second half of the season, we present the Trade Value Chart.You can use this chart to compare players and build realistic trade offers. Values are based on 12-team leagues in standard-scoring formats.Follow the links below to see the trade values and rest of season rankings for each position.Trade Values

Need a cheat sheet or some help spotting situational edges with a new week of NFL action fast approaching? We've got you covered.Here are five spots to look at as you do your homework for Week 8.Consider the Patriots as double-digit favoritesMonday Night Football in Week 8 presents one of the longest favorites we'll see all year: The New England Patriots are laying 14 points on the road to the Buffalo Bills.Backing the Patriots in this spot over the last few seasons has been profitable. New England is 12-3 against the spread in the last 15 situations as a double-digit favorite, outscoring opponents 31.2 to 16.2 on average.The Patriots have some holes defensively but will face the league's worst offense. The Bills are averaging 3.9 yards per play and are once again calling upon veteran Derek Anderson, who was signed Oct. 7 and got his first start of the season in last weekend's 37-5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.Another bad spot for the BroncosAnd no, not just because they're facing the Kansas City Chiefs, the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL.We highlighted the Broncos as a team to fade in Week 5 when they traveled to the East Coast for an early kickoff in a short week after emptying the tank against Kansas City. Sure enough, the Broncos' defense was shredded by the New York Jets in a 34-17 loss.Denver's been blown out of the water in six trips to the East Coast for early starts under Vance Joseph, getting outscored by about 21 points on average and failing to cover either a first-half or full-game spread.There are also distractions aplenty surrounding the Broncos, including the arrest and release of quarterback Chad Kelly and rumors that the franchise was shopping around key players. Unless the Chiefs' offense forgets how to play the game of football, Kansas City should be looking at another opportunity to pad the stats.Seahawks and Packers fall into optimal spotWith the New Orleans Saints covering +2.5 at Baltimore (W, 24-23) and the Detroit Lions covering -3 at Miami (W, 32-21), road teams off bye weeks moved to 55-23 (67.9 percent) against the spread over the last 78 situations.This week, two more teams - the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers - fall into the same angle in their matchups against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, respectively.Seattle heads into Detroit coming off a win against the Oakland Raiders in London. In his career as a starter, Aaron Rodgers is 4-0 straight-up against the Rams franchise as the Packers travel to Los Angeles.Familiar and profitable roles for the JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to get out of a major funk. They're currently in an 0-3 slump and have been outscored 90-28 over that span. In Week 8, they get the London game.It's the team's sixth straight year playing in London, and most of the players are accustomed to the travel schedule. That could be an advantage over Jacksonville's opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, who haven't made the trip before. The Jaguars, catching three points in the neutral-site game, have covered nine of the last 12 in the underdog role.Expect another slow start from the GiantsEntering Week 6 against the Eagles, the New York Giants were riding an 0-8 skid (going back to last season) in the first half of near-coin-flip games, averaging just six points. Right on cue, as one-point 'dogs, the Giants went into the half down 24-6 to Philly, moving to 0-9 against the spread in the first half.New York and its No. 27 scoring offense are catching a mere point at home against the Washington Redskins in Week 8, but the first-half line might be the better spot to fade the G-Men.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos waived backup quarterback Chad Kelly, the nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, following his Tuesday morning arrest that resulted in a first-degree criminal trespassing charge."This was a decision that we made as an organization," general manager John Elway said. "After reviewing all the information and in talking with (head coach) Vance (Joseph) and (president) Joe (Ellis), we agreed that releasing Chad was the right thing to do."Even though Chad's no longer part of our team, we've offered to help him however we can and are supportive of him in every possible way."Kelly was arrested after police responded to a call about a man who'd stumbled onto their property dressed in a cowboy costume. Kelly apparently went inside the residence as police were responding, sat down on a couch, and began mumbling incoherently.The incident took place following a Halloween party thrown by Broncos star Von Miller. The party took place in a secure environment with Ubers and shuttles available for rides home, according to details provided by Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall to Mike Klis of 9News.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning said Tuesday he can't envision himself playing for another team as the Oct. 30 trade deadline approaches."I haven't thought about a trade scenario," Manning told WFAN's Mike Francesa. "This organization is the only team I've ever played for and the only thing I know. I love the New York Giants. It's hard to imagine being with another organization."Manning, who holds a no-trade clause, has come under scrutiny for a second straight season while the team continues to struggle. The 37-year-old has spent his entire career with the Giants, and he made it known that's where he hopes to finish it."Right now, that's the mindset," he said. "I have not thought about (a trade). My focus is trying to get a win for the Giants and get prepared for the next game and see if we can turn things around and give ourselves an opportunity."Related: Giants' Shurmur doesn't envision QB change at trade deadlineManning has thrown seven touchdowns against four interceptions this season. New York has floundered to a 1-6 record, a year after going 3-13.New York appears ready for a rebuild, as it traded cornerback Eli Apple on Tuesday and defensive tackle Damon Harrison on Wednesday morning.- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is expected to miss the next two games and remain sidelined through the bye week, sources indicated to ESPN's Courtney Cronin.Cook has been battling a hamstring injury for most of the season and appeared to suffer a setback in his recovery a couple weeks ago. The second-year runner has been limited to three appearances this year.The Vikings are slated to meet the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions over the next two weeks before entering their bye.Cook rushed for 354 yards and two touchdowns in four games last year before a torn ACL ended his rookie campaign. He's managed just 98 yards on 36 carries this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants traded defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round draft pick, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Harrison is the second high-profile player traded from the Giants in as many days, as New York shipped cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.Harrison went to the Giants as a marquee free agent ahead of the 2016 season, signing a five-year contract worth $46.25 million. He was a first-team All-Pro selection at the end of 2016.The 29-year-old, who figures to beef up a Detroit defense that has struggled against the run, has posted 31 tackles and one forced fumble over seven appearances this season.Harrison spent the first four years of his career with the New York Jets, breaking into the league as an undrafted free agent.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL says that the controversial hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead should have been penalized, a league source told ESPN's Pat McManamon.The hit occurred during the fourth quarter of the Buccaneers' overtime victory in Week 7. Mayfield slid at the end of a 35-yard run, and Whitehead's helmet hit the quarterback's head shortly after his knee hit the ground.

Sitting at 1-6 and in the basement of the NFC East, the New York Giants may be sellers before the Oct. 30 NFL trade deadline.The Giants dealt cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, but head coach Pat Shurmur doesn't anticipate a major change at another key position."I think Eli (Manning) will be our quarterback (through our bye)," Shurmur said on Tuesday, via ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "He has been and he will continue to be here. I don't know how that will play into the Eli Apple trade."Manning is struggling as the Giants' starting quarterback this season, throwing seven touchdowns to four interceptions in seven starts. He's failing to consistently move the offense and take shots downfield.Coming off a 23-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, New York will face the Washington Redskins in Week 8 before heading into their bye week.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his early rankings for Week 8.Updated rankings (including PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.You can also find out who the top pickups are in our Week 8 Waiver Wire column.Standard Rankings

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.Fantasy Podcast: Week 7 takeaways, and early look at waiver wireQuarterbackStacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyMitch Trubisky, BearsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. NYJ53%$5Trubisky might be the only quarterback on this list who warrants consideration as a rest-of-season starter. The Bears' sophomore collected his third straight 300-yard game and threw multiple touchdowns for the fourth time this season. He's also getting it done with his legs, rushing for 81 yards and a score on Sunday. The Bears' offense should have no problem scoring on a Jets secondary that's allowed two or more passing touchdowns to five of their last six opponents.Baker Mayfield, BrownsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat PIT41%$2It wasn't exactly the performance we were hoping for from Mayfield last week, but he finished with a pair of touchdowns and 43 rushing yards despite just 215 yards through the air against a weak Bucs pass defense. The rookie's excellent schedule continues this week versus the division-rival Steelers, who were surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks heading into their Week 7 bye. Keep your faith in Mayfield.Joe Flacco, RavensNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat CAR42%$0This is not a good week for quarterback streamers, and with Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers among the passers on bye, owners will need to dig deep to find decent fill-ins. Surprisingly, the Ravens are second in pass attempts per game, behind only the Colts. With an underrated group of pass-catchers at his disposal, Flacco will become the sixth consecutive quarterback to toss multiple touchdowns on the Panthers.Other options: Case Keenum at KC (20 percent owned), C.J. Beathard at ARI (9 percent owned), Derek Carr vs. IND (27 percent owned)Running BackAndy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyMarlon Mack, ColtsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat OAK55%$49Mack was one of the top adds in this space last week and until he cracks the 60 percent ownership mark, he'll remain a star on this list. A week after putting up 93 yards on 16 touches, Mack was unleashed 21 times for 159 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in a complete domination of the Bills. You can safely start him as an RB2 moving forward, with his next target being a Raiders team that's seemingly in the midst of a going-out-of-business sale.Ito Smith, FalconsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidBye54%$34This column goes up early Monday night, so if anything changes based on the results of the Giants-Falcons game, it will be updated by morning. For now, Smith's role is secure, serving as a complement to Tevin Coleman in Atlanta's backfield. He's shown he can score touchdowns, and if his touches increase we may see his yardage totals rise as well, making him an intriguing flex option with upside.Doug Martin/Jalen Richard, RaidersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs.IND24%/21%$19/$19Marshawn Lynch has officially been put on injured reserve, meaning Martin and Richard are now the best options Oakland has at running back. It's hard to get excited about the Raiders' rushing attack, so try to avoid breaking the bank on either player unless you are truly desperate for an immediate starter. In the short term, Martin has some appeal thanks to the schedule, which features games against the Colts, 49ers, and Cardinals over the next month. Those are contests that the Raiders should be competitive in, meaning Martin won't be phased out by game script. Long term, it's Richard who offers more in fantasy, as Oakland projects to be trailing often.Chris Ivory, BillsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. NE8%$9As we wait for an update on LeSean McCoy's health after he was forced from Sunday's game with a head injury, Ivory needs to be scooped up everywhere. Not only is it likely that McCoy misses time due to injury, but it also remains possible that he gets traded before the deadline. Regardless of the reason, if McCoy isn't in the Bills' lineup, Ivory can produce as evidenced by his 106 yards from scrimmage on 19 touches last week. It's tough to get behind owning any Bills player in fantasy, but Ivory deserves to be rostered.Raheem Mostert, 49ersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat ARI13%$9If you're looking for someone with a little more upside, Mostert is in a similar situation to Ivory with his current starter's health in question. After Matt Breida re-aggravated his ankle injury, it was Mostert who powered the 49ers' rushing game, giving the team a spark for the second straight week. Mostert has amassed 165 yards over the last two games, displaying some Breida-esque skills in the process. With Breida's status in doubt, Alfred Morris fading, and a beautiful matchup with the Cardinals on deck, Mostert is someone I'll be bidding on in all my leagues this week.Ronald Jones, BuccaneersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat CIN16%$5It turns out Peyton Barber's Week 6 performance against Atlanta had a lot more to do with the Falcons' struggling defense than it did with Barber's talent. Barber went back to a pedestrian stat line of 11 carries for 30 yards Sunday and suffered an injury that the team refused to identify. Whether Barber is hurt or not, it's well past time to get Jones more involved on offense. Jones doesn't have elite skills, but the team needs to find out what it has in its second-round rusher. Fantasy owners would be wise to stash him until we find out.Kenjon Barner, PatriotsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat BUF1%$4Reports indicate Sony Michel avoided structural damage to his knee and is week to week. While he's out, James White is a borderline RB1 with Barner entering the flex mix. If Michel's absence is extended, it's likely the Patriots sign a free agent, but until then Barner is in line for a significant portion of touches in the Patriots' backfield. He's a must-add heading into a potential blowout against the Bills on Monday night.Other options: Duke Johnson at PIT (54 percent owned), Rashad Penny at DET (17 percent owned), LeGarrette Blount vs. SEA (13 percent owned), Spencer Ware vs. DEN (4 percent owned), Malcolm Brown vs. GB (2 percent owned), Trenton Cannon at CHI (0 percent owned)Wide ReceiversDylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyGeronimo Allison/Randall Cobb, PackersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat LAR37%/48%$34/$19Allison and Cobb are expected back in the lineup as the Packers return from their bye week. Allison had emerged as the clear No. 2 option behind Davante Adams and despite his lower ownership, is the one to target. We may eventually see Cobb's snaps scaled back in favor of rookie Marquez Valdes-Scantling (8 percent of leagues) after the latter brought a new dimension to the offense over the last few weeks. The rookie just offers more to the Packers' offense at this point in Cobb’s career.Chris Godwin, BuccaneersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat CIN49%$34You were warned not to let Godwin stay on waiver wires and yet he's still under 50 percent owned, meaning I have to go through his numbers again. Godwin has 50 yards or a touchdown in every game but one this season. He's even more enticing after seeing his playing time increase in Week 7 when he took the field on 69 percent of the Bucs' snaps.Tre'Quan Smith, SaintsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat MIN17%$29Smith has now stepped into the Ted Ginn role over the last two games, most recently playing on 73 percent of New Orleans snaps Sunday, with Cameron Meredith lining up on just 18 plays. The rookie's numbers didn't jump off the page, but three catches for 44 yards against one of the best pass defenses in the league on a windy day was convincing enough. He also nearly hauled a touchdown that would have boosted his final line. Smith can be treated as a borderline WR3 the rest of the way.Tyrell Williams/Mike Williams, ChargersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidBye15%/50%$14/$9Tyrell and Mike Williams are boom-or-bust wideouts who pack a major punch when they connect. Neither is seeing much volume, but Tyrell has caught seven of his eight targets over the last two weeks, going for 236 yards and three scores. Mike's production has been much quieter the last few weeks, but it only takes one play to make an impact and he hit it with a 55-yard score in London. If you're looking for ultimate upside, Tyrell and Mike are volatile options who have the ability to erase fantasy deficits in the blink of an eye - as long as you can live with the down weeks as well.Courtland Sutton, BroncosNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat KC5%$9Sutton has shown flashes in limited opportunities, and it's exciting to hear reports that the Broncos could move Emmanuel Sanders and/or Demaryius Thomas before the deadline. If that happens, Sutton would instantly rise to WR3 status, with a chance for more. Don't let him sit on the waiver wire, stash him now.Christian Kirk, CardinalsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. SF26%$7Kirk has accrued 57 yards or more in four of his last five games and gets the benefit a new offensive coaching staff, who will hopefully breathe life into this floundering attack. He's another rookie worth stashing to see how his situation develops.Danny Amendola/DeVante Parker, DolphinsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat HOU10%/10%$5/$5Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills are sidelined, forcing Amendola and Parker into prominent roles on a short week. Amendola caught six passes for 84 yards and a score on Sunday and will have no problem rising to the occasion. Parker has been a healthy scratch for the last couple weeks and his agent recently ripped head coach Adam Gase. Despite that odd turn of events, Gase confirmed Parker will play on Thursday. The Dolphins' receiving corps has been a hard group to project this season, but Parker still has a high ceiling if he can bring it all together on the field.Other options: Robby Anderson at CHI (47 percent owned), Chris Hogan at BUF (50 percent owned), Donte Moncrief vs. PHI (11 percent owned), Kelvin Benjamin vs. NE (15 percent owned), Martavis Bryant vs. IND (4 percent owned), Michael Gallup on Bye (6 percent owned), Anthony Miller vs. NYJ (7 percent owned)Tight EndsJulio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / GettyVance McDonald, SteelersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. CLE40%$9In a year with so many tight end injuries, how is McDonald still available in 60 percent of leagues? The Steelers' tight end has gone over 60 yards in three of his last four games and plays in one of the most potent aerial attacks in football. Whether he's a full-time starter or a one-week streamer, he needs to be picked up this week.C.J. Uzomah, BengalsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat TB52%$6The targets weren't there Sunday versus the Chiefs, but Uzomah managed to salvage another quality fantasy outing. With Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft not coming back anytime soon, Uzomah will continue to be a high-end TE2 capable of serving as a weekly starter for tight end-needy owners. He gets his best matchup of the season in Week 8 against a Bucs defense that's surrendered a touchdown to each of the last four tight ends they've faced.Other options: Ben Watson at MIN (40 percent owned), Jack Doyle at OAK (22 percent owned), Dallas Goedert at JAX (5 percent owned), Chris Herndon at CHI (1 percent owned)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings have announced that defensive end Everson Griffen will resume team activities on Wednesday after his leave of absence."We have been in communication with Everson's medical professionals throughout this process and have relied on his recommendations regarding the appropriate next steps for Everson," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement. "We are excited to welcome Everson back to the Vikings and to see him around teammates, coaches, and staff - people who care deeply about his well-being. Our focus will continue to be on providing an ongoing support system for Everson and his family."Griffen left the team in September after incidents involving police and medical personnel. He underwent an evaluation and received treatment at a mental health facility.The pass-rusher released his own statement after the news broke, saying he will continue to focus on his mental health going forward.

Arbitrator Shyam Das has rejected a grievance the NFLPA filed on behalf of Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid.During the summer, Reid visited the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent. The Bengals asked Reid whether he planned to continue kneeling during the national anthem, as he'd been doing to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Reid left the meeting without a contract and the NFLPA filed a grievance on his behalf, arguing that Cincinnati didn't sign him because of his answer and thus violated the CBA by putting a precondition on his employment.Das decided the Bengals had the right to ask Reid that question.The NFLPA released a statement Tuesday acknowledging Reid's claim was denied and expressed disappointment "especially since the arbitrator affirms the facts which our filing was based upon and provides no in-depth analysis of why management can engage in behavior that violates fair hiring practices."The Carolina Panthers signed Reid in September and he's continued to kneel during the national anthem. During Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid clashed with safety Malcolm Jenkins and later blasted Jenkins for the decisions he made on behalf of the Players Coalition.Reid is still awaiting the results of a separate collusion grievance against the NFL.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is about to get some help, as the New York Jets announced the signing of former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews on Tuesday.Matthews played just three games for the Titans this season before he was granted his release due to a reduced role. The veteran, who turned 29 earlier this month, had caught just three of six targets for 11 yards after signing a one-year, $7.75-million contract extension in August.The seven-year pro led the Titans with four receiving touchdowns last season and ranked second to tight end Delanie Walker in targets and yards. He set career highs with 945 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016.The Jets are in need of receiving help after releasing Terrelle Pryor last week as he battles a groin injury. Meanwhile, No. 1 target Quincy Enunwa missed the team's Week 7 contest against the Minnesota Vikings due to an ankle injury.Against the Vikings, running back Trenton Cannon led New York with four catches for 69 yards.Darnold, the No. 3 pick of the 2018 draft, has thrown 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, and has been held under 200 passing yards on four occasions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal trespassing early Tuesday morning, the Englewood Police Department confirmed in a media release.Police responded to a call at approximately 1:17 a.m. about a man standing outside a residence, according to the release. While responding, officers learned the man - later identified as Kelly - had gone inside the residence.Kelly was chased out of the residence by an occupant and was later found inside a black SUV, according to police.He was placed in custody without further incident and the investigation is ongoing. Kelly appeared in court Tuesday morning, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

The New Orleans Saints acquired cornerback Eli Apple from the New York Giants on Tuesday in exchange for a 2019 fourth-round pick and 2020 seventh-round pick, the Giants announced.Apple was the Giants' 10th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played five games this season with five passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His one career interception came in his rookie season.The third-year pro was the subject of controversy within the Giants' locker room last year, as he was benched, fined, and suspended for "a pattern of behavior that (was) conduct detrimental to the team."It was reported Monday that the Saints were the preferred destination of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson if he were to be traded. For now, Apple joins a secondary group led by 2017 first-round cornerback Marshon Lattimore and second-round safety Marcus Williams.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett among those who consider Monday's blockbuster acquisition of wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders as a win for his team."Obviously it's a big decision," Garrett said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "We talked about it a lot, at all levels of our organization. I do believe we've done a good job selecting guys in the first round, and they are cornerstone players on our team."We really believe that Amari can be that kind of a guy. He's 24 years old. We think he has a bright future. The value for a player like that at his age, that's really what it costs you. It costs you a first-round pick."The Cowboys sent a first-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft to the Raiders in exchange for Cooper, who's in his fourth professional season after being chosen by the Raiders fourth overall in the 2015 draft.Cooper was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons, as he topped 1,000 yards receiving in each campaign and caught 11 total touchdowns. He's shown regression over the past two seasons, however, recording just 680 yards - but seven touchdowns - in 14 games last year, with just 280 yards and one touchdown on 22 receptions through six games to start the 2018 season."If we were to get him in the draft next spring, you would say, 'Boy, is there any receiver who is as good as a guy like Amari Cooper?'" Garrett said. "He's not 28, 29, 30. You're not paying for a guy for what he's done for the past six, seven, eight years for another team. We feel like he has it in front of him and he can really benefit our team going forward because of the ability he has and the kind of person he is."The Cowboys released veteran receiver Dez Bryant this past offseason and signed Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson as free agents, drafted Michael Gallup in the third round of April's draft, and acquired Tavon Austin from the Los Angeles Rams.Dallas is hoping Cooper's experience and previous success can rejuvenate a passing attack currently ranked 29th in passing yards per game and with fewer passing touchdowns than all but five teams.The Cowboys have a bye in Week 8 before they host the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 on Monday night, allowing Cooper time to get accustomed to Dallas' offense.- With h/t to ESPNCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.